Chapter 1 Summary

Approximately a billion years ago, there was a protuberance in the northwest corner of what was to become North America. This landmass would become the future Alaska. A half billion years ago, this landmass had no mountains or trees or other growth. In winter, the sun remained low in the sky for six months while summer temperatures could reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Some sea life was moving onto land at this time.

At this time, geological plates were shifting and Alaska could have ended up attached to any of three continents. Eventually, a great peninsula was formed and there was a land bridge from Alaska to Asia. The land bridge eventually disappeared, covered by water. Alaska was now separated from Asia. The Pacific Plate collided with the continental plate and the result was the formation of mountains and lakes. Animals were appearing. The Alaska...